The remodel and expansion of Fire Station 4
in Escondido is well under way. The station is in
Kit Carson Park. Michelle Breier • U-T

ESCONDIDO 
Southeast Escondido’s fire station should be back in operation in November if construction continues to progress on schedule.

Framing of the building is under way and roof work was expected to start this week on Station 4’s remodeling and expansion, Division Chief Russ Knowles said.

Contractor Erickson-Hall started construction in February on the $2.4 million project on the edge of Kit Carson Park and “we are moving along,” Knowles said.

Station 4 has been closed since May 2010, after firefighters fell ill with respiratory and other ailments and mold was found throughout the building.

The reconstruction will modernize the more than 30-year-old station, providing additional space for a future ambulance company and individual dorms for a coed facility. The new station will be 5,960 square feet and will use up to 80 percent of the existing building.

To eliminate the mold, the walls and ceilings of the original kitchen, dorm and office were torn out to the beams. The construction site includes a shell of the original building, including two apparatus bays, and the framing for the addition.

Although the furnishings from the old station were saved, Knowles said he has been able to buy some new appliances for the expansion over the past couple of budget cycles.

“We’re well within budget, so as we move on we may be able to provide some new office furniture,” he said.

Until Station 4 reopens, calls for the area are being handled by stations on Felicita Road and Midway Drive.

“We definitely need to get an engine company back into District 4,” Knowles said.

Station 4 has the lowest call volume, but its coverage area is vast, stretching east past the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to just west of Interstate 15 near the Westfield North County mall. Its three main sources of calls are Oakmont of Escondido senior community on Bear Valley Parkway, Westfield North County mall and Kit Carson Park.

Station 4 crews are staying at Station 6 on Del Dios Road. When the moldy station first closed, firefighters moved to Station 5 on Felicita Road. Then, for a year, firefighters were based at a rented casita at the senior-living community near the closed station.